Skraelings. (Arctic Moon Magick, Bk. 1). Rachel and Sean Qitsualik-Tinsley. Illustrated by Andrew Trabbold. Iqaluit, NU: Inhabit Media, 2014. 89 pp., trade pbk., $10.95. ISBN 978-1-927095-54-6. Subject Heading: Inuit-Juvenile fiction. Grades 7-9 / Ages 12-14. Review by Beth Wilcox. *** /4

excerpt:

Here’s the story of a young man who, at the time of his tale, had no clue where his family might be living. If you had been there to ask, the best answer he might have given is:

“Somewhere behind me.”

Not that he was lost. No, it was simply that happiness means different things to different people—and it was his great joy to travel across strange lands. He went without human companionship. He had no idea where he was going. There were no enemies in his life. No friends (except maybe his sled dogs). Yet not one of these facts meant that he was lost.

Unknown places, even uncertainty about where he would next sleep or eat, rarely frightened the young hunter. You, however, whoever you are reading this, would have scared him. Not because you have two heads, or you’re coloured green, or you come from another planet. No, it’s exactly because you come from the same planet as him that you might have scared this person.

You see, you are from another time.

Rachel and Sean Qitsualik-Tinsley’s new historical fiction novel, Skraelings, takes readers through a quick and exciting adventure in the Arctic at the time of Viking exploration. The Qitsualik-Tinsleys are scholars and authors who specialize in Inuit culture and mythology, and they bring this depth of knowledge to this work to create a thoughtful and unique story of the north.

     The novel follows Kannujaq, a young Inuit man who is exploring the Land with his team of dogs when he comes across a village of the legendary Tuniit, a nation that Kannujaq has only heard about in stories. Unlike Kannujaq’s people, the Tuniit are not nomadic, and it takes some time in Kannujaq’s interaction with the people for him to realize that they are indeed human. Kannujaq quickly realizes that the Tuniit are in danger and is convinced by a young Tuniit shaman to help save the people from the repeated attacks of mysterious men who are armed with metal weapons. The word “Skraelings”, meaning “weaklings”, is the battle-cry of the foreigners as they attack the Tuniit village.

     The authors try to convey the mystery and uncertainty that Kannujaq feels in this new situation by having the readers learn about most things through Kannujaq’s experience. As seen in the excerpt above, the interruptions in Kannujaq’s story by the modern benevolent storyteller are typically only used to tell the reader information necessary to better understand the story from Kannujaq’s viewpoint. It is often left up to the reader to piece things together to give the story greater historical context. For example, while Kannujaq realizes the giants attacking the Tuniit village are indeed foreign men, it is his naïve descriptions of the armor and ship details, combined with a harsh black and white full-page illustration of Vikings, that allow the reader to understand the historical import of the meeting.

     At only 78 pages long (eight of which are illustrations by Andrew Trabbold), Skraelings is a very short and exciting read. At times, the storytelling seems to suffer from its brevity, and the second half seems overly plot-driven and rushed. The five-page glossary following the story is a positive addition and provides readers with pronunciations and historical background. For instance, readers will be saddened to learn that the Tuniit are now extinct. While the novel may feel too short for some readers, the promise of the book’s being the first part of a series may be a consolation to some. This often-overlooked perspective in historical fiction will be a welcome read for many young people.

Recommended.

Beth Wilcox, a graduate from the MA in Children’s Literature program at the University of British Columbia, is currently teaching in Prince George, BC.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

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Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

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